Chinese New Year Tidbits! 9 Chinese New Year Taboos Believed to Influence Luck, What Are They?

Chinese New Year is not just a moment of celebration, but also a symbol of a new beginning. In Chinese culture, what is done at the beginning of the year is believed to influence luck, health, and fortune throughout the year. That is why there are a number of taboos that are still observed and believed to this day.

These taboos are not merely about prohibitions, but rather part of cultural values that teach caution, good wishes, and respect for tradition. Here are the 9 most known and believed Chinese New Year taboos that can affect luck.

Read also: 6 Unique Facts About Semarang City You Need to Know

1. Sweeping and Disposing of Trash on the First Day

Sweeping the house or disposing of trash on the first day of Chinese New Year is believed to symbolize throwing away newly arrived fortune and luck. Therefore, many families choose to clean their homes a few days before Chinese New Year so that the house remains tidy without having to sweep on the first day.

2. Washing Hair and Cutting Hair

In Mandarin, the word “hair” has the same pronunciation as the word “fortune”. Washing or cutting hair on Chinese New Year's day is considered an act of washing away good fortune at the beginning of the year. It's no wonder many people choose to get a haircut before Chinese New Year as a symbol of readiness to welcome the new year.

3. Avoiding Negative Utterances

Chinese New Year is synonymous with prayers and good wishes. Therefore, words related to death, illness, poverty, or bad luck should be avoided. Maintaining speech is believed to help create positive energy throughout the celebration.

4. Taking Medicine on the First Day of Chinese New Year

Taking medicine on the first day of Chinese New Year is believed to be a sign of poor health throughout the year. This belief symbolizes the hope that the new year will be lived with a healthy and strong body.

5. Breaking Things at Home

Broken plates, glasses, or other objects are considered to symbolize incompleteness and bad omens. If it happens accidentally, people usually immediately utter a prayer for safety as an antidote to its negative meaning.

6. Borrowing or Lending Money

Debt matters on Chinese New Year's day should be avoided. Lending or collecting debts is believed to affect financial flow throughout the year. Therefore, many people try to settle financial matters before Chinese New Year arrives.

7. Giving Angpao with Certain Denominations

Angpao is a symbol of sharing good fortune. Even denominations are preferred because they symbolize multiplied fortune, while certain numbers like four are avoided because they have an unfavorable meaning in Chinese culture.

8. Wearing Black or White Clothes

Black and white are synonymous with mourning. During Chinese New Year, bright colors like red and gold are preferred because they symbolize happiness, good fortune, and prosperity.

9. Letting Children Cry

The atmosphere of Chinese New Year is expected to be full of joy. A child's crying is believed to bring negative energy, so parents usually try to keep the atmosphere warm and pleasant during the celebration.

The things above are part of the Chinese New Year, which is rich in meaning and symbolic value. Behind every prohibition lies the hope for a better life, ranging from health, family harmony, to financial prosperity in the new year. Although not all taboos must be interpreted literally, this tradition teaches the importance of starting the year with good intentions, a positive attitude, and mutual respect. This is what makes Chinese New Year not just a celebration, but a meaningful moment that continues to live on and be relevant from generation to generation.

source:

https://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/festivals/chinese-new-year-taboos.htm